By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

SAN DIEGO- It was only a little more than a week ago that the best news to come from the Rams’ first preseason game was the lack of injuries the team suffered.

St. Louis came out of Sunday’s game at San Diego relatively similar, but tight end Roland Williams’ status is somewhat uncertain after he injured his left knee against the Chargers.

Williams and coach Mike Martz called the injury a knee strain after the game, but Williams will have an MRI on the knee either late Sunday night or early Monday morning.

Williams injured the knee on the second kickoff after San Diego’s first touchdown when he was attempting to backpedal. He said he thought he hyperextended and tried to play through the injury. 

After the game, Williams didn’t seem too worried about the injury.

“It’s nothing major. I could have came back and played if it was a regular season game probably,” Williams said. “They wanted me to sit down a little bit. I’m not worried at all. Really if anything I can’t wait for the chance to come back next week.”

The left knee is the same knee that Williams has injured seriously before, costing him chunks of seasons at a time. Of course, considering his experience with knee injuries, Williams probably would have known right away if he blew out the knee.

In fact, he did try to play through the injury, a costly mistake early in the game. On a third-and-2 with 9:45 to go in the first quarter, Marc Bulger was forced to take a sack because he was looking for Williams in the flat and Williams was unable to be where he was needed because of the knee injury.

Martz said that play was designed particularly for Williams, just like many of the plays are designed for different players during the preseason.

“You try to put stuff in each week for each guy to see if they can handle the situation,” Martz said. “Here’s a third-and-2, big situation and his knee is hurt.”

Williams left the game permanently after that play.

BARRON DEBUTS: First-round choice Alex Barron made his debut at left tackle against the Chargers on Sunday.
 Barron replaced starter Orlando Pace to start the second half. Though Barron got off to a decent start by clearing space for Arlen Harris, he struggled for the most part and allowed a sack.

“He didn’t do very well,” Martz said. “He had blown assignments, gave up a sack, and gave up a run through. He hasn’t played. He missed camp. But in his defense he is going to be a real good player. Man, he has a long way to go.”

When asked if there was a timeframe on how long Barron will stay at left tackle, Martz said it would be longer than most might think.

“Probably all year long,” Martz said. “Those other two guys (Rex Tucker and Matt Willig) are experienced and have been here. Unless something dramatically changes and the light really goes on for him, I wouldn’t anticipate it in the near future.”

Barron wasn’t exactly thrilled with his performance, either.

“I think I did OK, but you don’t really know until you watch the film,” Barron said. “When you look at it, you correct it and get back out there next week.”

GROCE HOLDS STRONG: It wasn’t DeJuan Groce’s first start at cornerback, but it was his first since Jerametrius Butler was declared out for the season because of a torn posterior cruciate ligament.

Groce had a fumble recovery in his first game against the Bears, but though he didn’t have come up with a turnover this week, he did fare well.

The Chargers went right at Groce early in the game, testing him twice in the early going.

“They didn’t waste any time coming at me,” Groce said. “Once I got in the game and they saw me out there, I think it was mostly the coverage and everything we were in but I already knew there would be a test for me.”

Groce was credited with two tackles and a pass defended, not quite the numbers he posted last week, but he said he was pleased with his performance.

“I’m happy with the way I performed,” Groce said. “I just try to get better every game. I played better today than I did last game and I just want to improve steadily.”

Groce started opposite Travis Fisher and the Rams didn’t give up too many big plays in the passing game other than a 29-yard completion on third and long. But Martz said he would like to see his two starters get some help.

“DeJuan is a good player,” Martz said. “He’s a starter in the league, we know that. We have got to find some other corners to help out.”

FITZPATRICK”S BIG PLAY: Rookie quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t get nearly as many opportunities as he did against the Bears last week, but he took full advantage of the chance he did get.

After Jeff Smoker replaced Bulger to begin the second half, Fitzpatrick waited patiently for his chance. After extensive warm-ups, it looked like he might not get any opportunities, but he entered the game with 1:47 to go.

“It was my only play of the day and I got in there and wasn’t sure if we were going to run the clock out or go ahead and go for it and he gave me the play,” Fitzpatrick said. “I kind of loosened up my arm in the huddle a little bit and then I just threw it up to Kevin (Curtis).”

Although he was worried he would underthrow the speedy Curtis, Fitzpatrick was close enough and Curtis caught it in stride for a 78-yard touchdown. That was Fitzpatrick’s only play of the game, but he was able to walk away with a nice memory and, of course, a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3

“I was kind of excited and I knew he said throw it up there to 83 and I knew if I could get it out there far enough and he didn’t outrun my arm we’d have a good shot at it,” Fitzpatrick said.

Martz said that Fitzpatrick’s touchdown is exactly the kind of plays he hopes to see from the players that need to prove themselves.

“That’s why you do that,” Martz said. “This isn’t snub your opponent or any of those things. You kind of find out about these guys. In games like this you are trying to put all these guys in situations where they can have some success.”